Jennings, MO

Tooth Pain Jennings, MO

Tooth Pain in Jennings, MO. Tooth pain, or toothaches, can be either dull or sharp, but always make it painful to eat, sleep at night, or concentrate on daily tasks. If you’ve been experiencing continuous tooth pain it can be an indication of severe dental problems, and it’s best to see your local Jennings, MO dentist right away. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Causes of Tooth Pain | Jennings, MO Dental Office

Tooth pain occurs when the nerves in the roots of a tooth or surrounding the tooth become aggravated. There are a variety of ways that can happen. Some of the most frequent instances our Jennings, MO dental office sees are:

• Gum Disease:

  While mild forms of gum disease, for instance gingivitis, often do not cause tooth pain, more severe types like periodontitis can lead to tooth pain when the structure and bones underneath your teeth in the mouth are weakened.

• Tooth Decay, like cavities:

  The enamel in our teeth is the durable outer layer of our teeth. When it wears down, bacteria and other things can irritate the nerves on the inside of our teeth.

• Sensitive Teeth:

  Tooth sensitivity is typically caused by damaged enamel or receding gums, though not as significantly as with tooth decay or gum disease. Frequently, Jennings, MO residents with sensitive teeth will only feel tooth pain with hot or cold drinks or certain food.

• Abscessed Teeth:

  While we typically think of teeth as rigid, the insides of a tooth are in fact made of soft tissue and blood vessels, which can suffer from infections. An abscessed tooth arises when there is an infection in what’s called the “pulp chamber” on the interior of the tooth, and the infection gets to the root. Beyond tooth pain, other typical symptoms are dark or inflamed gums, an accumulation of puss, a salty or unpleasant taste, swollen neck glands, or swelling jaw.

• Impacted Wisdom Teeth:

  If you have not gotten your wisdom teeth removed and are suffering from pain in the back and bottom molar area, it’s likely advisable to get your wisdom teeth extracted. Not removing them can cause other teeth to move, cause jaw pain, and even cause bone loss.

• Oral Cancer:

  Oral cancer is a very severe dental problem, but luckily it is easy to treat. It can be a growth or sore inside the throat or mouth and can cause substantial pain. Tobacco and alcohol consumption, along with prolonged sun exposure, are risk factors.

• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder:

  Also called TMJ, this refers to a number of issues that impact the joint joining the jaw to the skull. While the problems do not directly result in tooth pain, it can lead to misaligned chewing, teeth grinding, and problems with the mastication muscles, which can all cause tooth pain.

• Teeth Grinding:

  Technically referred to as bruxism, is a typical cause of tooth pain. There can be numerous reasons why you grind your teeth, such as:

  • Some foods, such as caffeine, sodas, coffee, or chocolate
  • Alcohol and tobacco consumption
  • Chewing on pencils, or any object that is not food
  • Anxiety or anger
  • Some medications
  • Misaligned teeth

  Treatment for teeth grinding commonly includes fluoride treatments to protect tooth enamel, fillings, or dental crowns.

How is Tooth Pain Treated? | Jennings, MO Dental Office

When you initially see your Jennings, MO dentist for your tooth pain, they will determine the underlying cause of your tooth pain and advise the ideal treatment plan. Some of the common treatments for tooth pain are:

Fluoride Treatments

When plaque, bacteria, and sugars collect in the mouth, they can damage the enamel. Flouride strengthens the enamel and is effective at helping sensitive teeth, protecting against teeth grinding, and is advised for people who get a lot of cavities. Your Jennings, MO dentist can apply fluoride to your teeth as a gel, foam, or varnish. A professional fluoride treatment is much more successful than fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.

Oral Surgery

Technically called maxillofacial surgery, is necessary in more severe cases. Surgery can be used to:

• Remove cysts, growths, or tumors that cause pain
• Treat TMJ
• Remove impacted wisdom teeth or infected teeth
• Treatment of severe gum disease

The Jennings, MO dental team at Plaza Dental are experienced and distinguished oral surgeons that will help you feel relaxed before, during, and after your surgery.

Root Canals

Root canals are typically required when the pulp chamber becomes infected. Fortunately, root canals are not much more complex than a typical filling. Your Jennings, MO dentist will create an opening on the crown of the tooth, remove the infection, and fill the void with a material that disinfects the inside of the tooth. Not getting a root canal for an abscessed tooth can lead to the infection to move to your gums and other teeth, and could eventually cause you having the tooth removed.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry with your Jennings, MO dentist doesn’t just improve your smile, it can help relieve tooth pain. Dental bonding and dental crowns can help fix cover damaged teeth that are causing you pain. If you’re suffering from tooth pain because of misaligned teeth, Invisalign® can help straighten them out.

Preventing Tooth Pain | Jennings, MO Dental Office

Like the majority dental issues, tooth pain prevention generally boils down to practicing proper oral hygiene. Your Jennings, MO dentist a Plaza Dental Center recommends the following simple steps you can take to protect your teeth and mouth:

• Brushing and flossing
• Regular dental examinations
• Cleanings and polishing
• Having cavities filled promptly
• Using fluoride toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash

Check out the links below to see some of the other services we offer in Jennings, MO:

• Dental Emergency
• Gum Contouring
• Broken Tooth Repair
• Invisalign®
• Tooth Pain Relief
• Periodontal Treatment
• Composite Fillings
• Gingivitis Treatment
• Dentist Near Me

Tooth Pain in Jennings, MO | Plaza Dental Center

Most of the time, we never think about our teeth when they’re healthy. If you’re experiencing chronic tooth pain, or have tooth pain accompanied by a fever, it’s best to speak with your local Jennings, MO dentist at Plaza Dental Center for an appointment immediately. In addition to oral health, we prioritize patient education and making our patients calm in the chair. If you’re experiencing tooth pain in Jennings, MO, call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.